I can’t recall which team I backed in the 2018 Super Bowl, but I’ll always remember giving Post readers the first touchdown scorer (Alshon Jeffrey, 12/1). I recall almost nothing from the next Super Bowl, but I’ll never forget hitting on MVP Julian Edelman (18/1). I draw blanks on my own birthdays, but the feeling of watching Rob Gronkowski (18/1) and Odell Beckham Jr. (+900) cash our first touchdown tickets will never fade.
I don’t know who will win this year’s Super Bowl. I don’t even know how long I’ll remember the game’s details — unless we hit another home run.
Here is a breakdown of some of the most intriguing prop bets in this year’s big game (prices vary by sportsbook):
Kickoff
National anthem Over 120.5 seconds (-142): The over has hit four straight times, including the past two performances with an over/under of at least 119 seconds. NOLA native Jon Batiste won’t rush his rendition, potentially stretching out the song instrumentally (-400 to play piano. Seriously.).
Coin toss (-102): Heads took three of the past four meetings. Tails will respond.
What will happen first: A touchdown (-150) or Taylor Swift live shot (+110): Swift was shown 11 times during last year’s Super Bowl. The biggest TV audience of the year shouldn’t wait long to see the most famous celebrity in attendance. Plus, who knows how long it will take a team to reach the end zone?
Scoring
First quarter ends 0-0 (+900): Teams often start slow on the big stage. Since 2001, 21 teams haven’t scored in the first quarter, with four of the past 10 Super Bowls scoreless after 15 minutes, including last year. Less risky options include no points through 10 minutes (+360) and Under 9.5 first-quarter points (-108).
Kareem Hunt touchdown (+145): Hunt has become the go-to back, scoring in four straight games. Add a lower-unit first touchdown bet (+950).
DeVonta Smith touchdown (+230): An uninspiring postseason offers value for the receiver who led the Eagles in touchdowns (eight). Plus, a first touchdown sprinkle (17/1).
Noah Gray touchdown (+550): Kansas City’s No. 2 tight end quietly posted the second-most receiving touchdowns (five) on the team — more than Travis Kelce. Plus, a first touchdown sprinkle (30/1).
Jalen Hurts two touchdowns (+550): The Saquon Barkley tax (+280 for two touchdowns) is outrageous since Hurts has played two fewer games and recorded the same number of rushing scores (18). Hurts was back to full health in the NFC Championship, scoring three times. He also had two rushing touchdowns against the Chiefs last season and three in the Super Bowl two years ago.
Each team scores one rushing and one passing touchdown (+210), each team scores one touchdown and one field goal in each half (14/1), each team scores two rushing touchdowns and two field goals (48/1): Another shootout isn’t necessary to raise the ceiling as a spectator.
Jake Elliott Over 6.5 points (-130): The Eagles kicker has struggled, but he has recorded at least seven points in seven straight games.
Passing/Rushing/Receiving/Misc.
No interceptions (+200): Hurts and Mahomes haven’t thrown a pick since November and have combined for only one in their past 16 postseason games.
Mahomes 25+ passing yards every quarter (-130): He’s very good. And he doesn’t even have to be to hit this.
Mahomes or Hurts to have a run of at least 25 yards (+440), Mahomes and Hurts to rush for 5 yards each quarter (60/1): Both quarterbacks had a run of 25-plus yards in their most recent Super Bowl matchup. Mahomes averages 43 rushing yards per Super Bowl. Hurts averages 42 rushing yards per game this season.
Mahomes Over 6.5 rushing attempts (+110): Andy Reid takes the bubble wrap off in the postseason. Mahomes has 27 carries in his past three postseason games and has averaged 7.25 per Super Bowl. Kneel downs count, too.
Saquon Barkley longest rush Under 25.5 yards (-110): It’s a scary proposition, but the Chiefs allowed only three running backs to break this mark this season and have allowed only two such postseason runs during the Mahomes era.
Saquon Barkley/Kareem Hunt rush for 5 yards every quarter (+450): Hunt received 17 carries in the AFC Championship — for 64 yards, with at least five each quarter — the most since Isiah Pacheco returned from injury.
Xavier Worthy first to 10 rushing yards (25/1), Kareem Hunt first to 20 rushing yards (+450): In a perfect world, we hit a grand slam, then a solo shot. In another world, Barkley gets the ball first.
Dallas Goedert Over 4.5 receptions (-130): The Chiefs surrendered the most catches to tight ends this season. Goedert averages 5.25 receptions in eight postseason games with Hurts.
Most receiving yards: DeVonta Smith (+650), Dallas Goedert (+850): Mahomes’ tendency to spread targets puts an Eagle in strong position to take the honor. If All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie contains A.J. Brown, Goedert or Smith will benefit.
Eagles first half/Chiefs win (+700) or first half tie/Chiefs win (20/1): The Chiefs are playing, so it will be a close game, and therefore hold the edge, winning an NFL-record 17 straight one-possession games. KC has never led at halftime in four Super Bowl appearances in the Mahomes era.
Gatorade bath color: Orange (+500): The popular money is on purple (+225), the color dumped on Reid the past two seasons. Orange is the sleeper, the most-used flavor of the past 15 Super Bowls, including Mahomes’ first title.
Betting on the NFL?
Super Bowl MVP
Jalen Hurts (+380): The quarterback of the underdog is a personal favorite, hitting four of the past seven years. Hurts nearly won two years ago, putting up 374 total yards and four touchdowns. Barkley’s all-time season has made him the Philly favorite, but no running back has won the award this century, and the Chiefs haven’t allowed 100 rushing yards to the position this season. Barkley entered the divisional round without a touchdown in four of five games and could see Hurts vulture more scores via the tush push. You may never see odds like this for a quarterback in a coin-flip game again.
Xavier Worthy (30/1): You’re better off with the Chiefs money line (-115) than Mahomes (+120). Tom Brady and Joe Montana didn’t always win MVP, each helping receivers win the award. Wide receivers have won it two of the past six years and the Chiefs have made it a priority to give the rookie speedster more touches. Worthy led the Chiefs in receiving touchdowns in the regular season and has led the team in receptions and receiving yards in the playoffs.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Post’s main handicapper in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013).
